I don’t know what the weather has been like where you live, but here in Northern Michigan, it has been unseasonably hot. However, we took a week-long camping trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula a week ago and spent a great deal of time at the lakeshore cooling off.
While we were gone, I could not edit my current writing project; instead, I began work on my next project. However, now that we are back, I am working at warp speed to get The Truth About Lara print ready, but I have learned from past experience not to rush the process.
I currently belong to several Facebook groups for authors, and an inspiring author asked me about my writing process. The first thing I told her was a quote I used to remind myself what my first draft was all about. The quote comes from Terry Pratchett and simply states, “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” I remember that when I begin a new writing project, it helps me not be too harsh on myself when I start the rewrite process.
As I begin the editing process, I start adding the little details that I hope bring my story alive. Even after I have read through my manuscript a dozen times, I always think of things I can add to improve the story. I try to fill in any plot holes and pretend I am reading the material for the first time as one of my readers. Does it make sense, is it plausible, and have I done my research? Since I write mysteries, is it too easy for my readers to figure out who did it, and have I included enough twists and turns to keep my readers interested are other items I explore.
Once I have my story to the point I think it is ready to publish, I turn on Grammarly and do my final editing. After that is complete, I am ready to upload my digital version of the book on Kindle Direct Publishing. However, I don’t release the e-book until I have formatted and uploaded the paperback, for which I order a preview copy. I use the preview copy as my final editing piece. I read through it with a fine-tooth comb to catch any errors I may have missed before. Once I am satisfied I have fixed everything that needs editing, I hit the publish button and then hope for the best. One nice thing about KDP is that if I discover errors, I may have missed, I can go back and fix them and then republish them. Anyone who has purchased the e-book has their copy automatically updated, and I know future sales of my paperback will hopefully be error-free.
I am not sure my writing process is like other authors, but it works for me. First, I have this storyline running through my head. Next, I list the characters I need for my story and where the best setting would be. Sometimes I have the end in mind, and other times, I play it by ear. If I have the end in mind, I map out my chapters and begin to write. However, I have been known to change the ending, which means I also have to change my chapters.
For example, the most recent novel I published, We Meet Again: the sequel to Justice for Lindsey, has three parts. By the time I wrote part three, I had completely changed the storyline, so I had to go back and rewrite parts one and two before I could begin the editing process.
Sometimes, I figure out the book’s ending before writing it. That is the case with book six in the Sophie London-Evin Foster Mysteries series. I wrote the final chapter and the epilogue before I began the story, and I am in love with the result. I hope my readers agree when I finally publish books #5 and #6 in the fall.
Book #6 is titled Secret of Briarwood and takes place in Townsend, Tennessee, where Sophie and Evin spent their honeymoon. They have returned to the Silver Creek Cabins to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Sophie grew up in the cabins as, at one time, before their death, her parents owned them.
While there, Sophie and the new owner’s wife find a small diary written by Sophie’s mother just before her death. Sophie reads her mother’s last words, and the mystery begins. If you read this newsletter, you are getting a cover reveal ahead of others. Below is the cover for books #5 and #6.
As I do in all my novels, I use photos on Pinterest as inspiration. I make a collage of all the photos and print them out. Then I post them in a convenient place so I can view them as I write. Since this is the sixth book I have written about Sophie and Evin, I have no trouble picturing them in my mind, but I keep their photos handy all the same. Below are the photos I used for Secret of Briarwood.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, I have already started working on a new series. The main characters in this series are Hannah McKenzie, Tyler Swan, Cassie Prentice, the members of the Silver Needle Quilters, as well as other residents of the fictional mid-western town of Murdock. I will tell you more about the “A Touch of Home Mysteries” in my August newsletter.
Remember, all four of my books are available on Amazon in both e-book and paperback. You can purchase them directly from this site by clicking on the book cover to the right of this blog post if you are reading on a laptop or tablet. If you are reading this post on your phone, the links are located at the very bottom.
Until next time, pick up a book and read.
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